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Additionally, S2 believes that if S2 did not grab S1 and get S1 off R1, S1 would have suffocated R1 to death. Approximately 10-15 minutes later, S1 told S2, “I don’t think this job is for me.” S2 also notes that while S2 has been a caretaker for R1, S2 has never seen R1 frightened or defensive when another caretaker was nearby, except for S1. S2 believes R1 is afraid of S1.
The allegations regarding R1 were confirmed by S1 himself. S1 stated that S1 and R1, who is diagnosed with dementia, had numerous verbal disagreements in the past, and R1 would call S1 bad names and get angry with S1 frequently. S1 told officers S1 was just angry and wanted R1 to go to bed and not argue with S1. S1 stated S1 had pushed the pillow down on the resident’s face for approximately five seconds before stopping. S1 revealed what R1 had said during the incident, “Are you going to kill me?” And S1 replied with, “Yes, I am going to kill you if you don’t go to bed.” After officers confirmed this was fact, S1 told officers that S1 could have killed R1 and that “circumstances forced me to do it because I was stressed out.” S1 added that S1 was just trying to make R1 shut up and go back to bed.
Based on all the evidence collected, the police report and interviews, S1 attacked and attempted to suffocated R1, who is diagnosed with dementia, with a pillow to silence R1. Additional evidence points to a previous outburst of anger and violence from S1 towards another resident. With a profession as a facility medical technician, S1 has exhibited violence and anger that place the residents S1 is assigned to take care of, with varying illnesses, and potential coworkers, in danger. S1 attempted to suffocate R1 with a pillow that could have resulted in R1’s death and meets the definition of physical abuse.
At the time of the complaint visit on February 12, 2019, the issuance of a civil penalty was still being determined based on Health and Safety Code § 1569.49.
The Department has concluded an analysis and has determined that a civil penalty is warranted for physical abuse. Per Welfare and Institutions Code § 15610.63 defines physical abuse as, “(a) Assault, as defined in Section 240 of the Penal Code.” PC Section 240: “An assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another.”
Today, June 11, 2021, the Department will be issuing a civil penalty per Health and Safety Code § 1569.49 for a violation that the Department constitutes as physical abuse in the amount of $10,000.
A copy of the LIC 421D was given to Kathy Nguyen and originals were signed.
Exit interview conducted. A copy of the report issued. Appeal Rights provided. Kathy Nguyen's signature on this report acknowledges receipt of the Appeal Rights, found on page two of LIC 421D. |